The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is currently inactive.

In the event of a disaster, the Governor of Florida has the option to activate the Emergency Bridge Loan Program by Executive Order.

If the program is activated, this website will contain applications and full instructions for completing and submitting an Emergency Bridge Loan request as well as other disaster recovery resources.

The purpose of the Emergency Bridge Loan Program is to provide a source of expedient cash flow to Florida small businesses impacted by a disaster.

These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance.

Please Note: this program provides a short-term loan of State of Florida public funds, not a grant, with the expectation that repayment will be made out of receipts from other sources of longer term disaster recovery assistance.

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program was first activated following Hurricane Andrew. It has been activated 22 additional times following disasters and has helped more than 3,550 small businesses statewide to receive more than $97.9 million in assistance.